On Monday, Russia voiced its “full support” for Venezuela as the South American nation deals with a blockade involving sanctioned oil tankers by U.S. forces stationed in the Caribbean, according to statements from both governments.
During a phone conversation, the foreign ministers of Russia and Venezuela condemned the actions of the U.S., which have included bombing vessels allegedly involved in drug trafficking, as well as the recent capture of two tankers.
A U.S. official informed AFP on Sunday that a third vessel was being targeted.
“The ministers conveyed their serious concerns regarding the escalation of U.S. actions in the Caribbean Sea, which could have severe implications for the region and pose a threat to international maritime trade,” the Russian Foreign Ministry stated following the discussion between Sergei Lavrov and Yván Gil.
“The Russian delegation reiterated its complete support for and solidarity with the Venezuelan government and its citizens amidst the current situation,” it noted.
“The two ministers agreed to enhance their bilateral collaboration and coordinate their efforts on the international front, especially at the UN, to uphold state sovereignty and prevent interference in domestic matters.”
The UN Security Council is scheduled to convene on Tuesday to address the escalating tensions between Venezuela and the United States following a request from Caracas, which is supported by China and Russia.
In a message on Telegram, Venezuela’s Gil mentioned that he and Lavrov had talked about “the aggressions and blatant violations of international law occurring in the Caribbean: assaults on vessels, extrajudicial executions, and acts of piracy conducted by the U.S. government.”
Since September, U.S. forces have carried out operations against boats that Washington claims—without providing evidence—were engaged in drug trafficking in the Caribbean Sea and eastern Pacific Ocean.
According to their families and various governments, over 100 individuals, including some fishermen, have lost their lives due to these actions.
On December 16, U.S. President Donald Trump announced a blockade against “sanctioned oil vessels” traveling to and from Venezuela.
Trump has accused the Maduro-led Caracas of using oil revenue to fund “drug terrorism, human trafficking, murder, and kidnapping.”
Gil stated that Lavrov had expressed Moscow’s “full support in response to hostilities directed at our country.”
